Australia series 'pinnacle of season' - Boult

New Zealand bowler Trent Boult took 4 for 40 in the first ODI against Pakistan, in Wellington

New Zealand must win one of the two remaining ODIs against Pakistan to seal the series, but already there is hype developing for the tour to come. Australia - their neighbourhood rivals, and opponents in some of the most storied clashes of the past year - have picked their ODI squad, and arrive in the country in early February.

Pacer Trent Boult has said his focus remained on Pakistan, for now, but he had given thought to the clash against Australia, which he described as the "pinnacle of the season". The teams play two Tests and three ODIs, the first of which begins February 3.

"The battles between the Aussies and us - it is very exciting," Boult said. "We'll focus on the next couple of games, but we're all aware of what's to come. That series is going to be very important. If I can keep ticking the right boxes and finding a bit of form leading into the Test matches, I think I'll be pretty happy."

McClenaghan injury churned my stomach - Boult

Trent Boult said it had churned his stomach to see Mitchell McClenaghan felled by an Anwar Ali bouncer in the first ODI against Pakistan. McClenaghan fell to the ground immediately after being struck, with blood flowing from his eybrow. He walked off the field, and was later found to have suffered a fracture just above the left eye.

"It churns your stomach to see that kind of thing happen," Boult said. "It's hard to talk about it to be honest. It's never a nice sight to see one of your team-mates going down, but it is part of the game that's going on for years."

The ball had passed through the gap between the visor and grille of McClenaghan's helmet.

"Short-pitched bowling is something I do fear to be honest," Boult said. "But with all the technology involved, and supposedly how indestructible the helmets are, I think we've come a long way.

"With new helmets supposedly the ball can't pass through - the gap between the visor and grilles is supposed to be smaller. Mitchell was wearing an older helmet I believe - I guess that's down to personal preference."

Boult's enthusiasm for that contest echoes that of a fast bowler from across the Tasman, who agreed the tour in New Zealand would be the highlight of Australia's summer of cricket as well. Josh Hazlewood, who had matched Boult's 13 wickets in the Trans-Tasman Test series at the beginning of the southern summer, has also spoken about the challenge that faces his team, playing in front of a "hostile" New Zealand crowd, against a team who are "tough to beat" in their home conditions.

Both teams have faced underwhelming opposition in their home seasons so far. West Indies and Sri Lanka were blown away by Australia and New Zealand respectively. Pakistan have now lost three of their four matches in New Zealand so far, while India were cleaned up 4-1 in ODIs by Australia.

"I can't think of a better challenge to see where we are in terms of our Test game and our one-day game than to play Australia," Boult said. "It's definitely going to be very exciting from our end as well - to have them here in our home conditions. We've been putting some pretty good performances on board over the last week, and now the big test is to put it up against one of the best teams in the world."

Despite eventually topping the wicket-takers' list alongside Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, Boult had battled injury during that Australia tour at the end of 2015. He was below his best during the Tests against Sri Lanka as well, but having now claimed 12 wickets in his six most-recent limited-overs matches, he feels he is increasing in confidence. Boult took 4 for 40 in the first ODI against Pakistan, helping clear out the opposition's lower order.

"The Australia tour was a good learning curve for me," he said. "To come back here - I haven't played a heck of a lot of cricket to be honest. Each game was kind of getting better for me. I was definitely a lot happier with how it was yesterday. To get a few late wickets was very satisfying."

I feel Odi series will be closely fought. Though I Expect Kiwis to beat aussies by atleast 2-1.Australia test side will be completely exposed in NZ Conditions.Likes of Starc and hazlewood have to prove their worth as players outside australia especially in NZ,SA,England and India.For long time australia has been playing only in their home turf barring tour to mediocre WI.This will be the real test for steve smith as captain.

CricMystique
on January 28, 2016, 6:35 GMT

@DUNGER.BOB - as an indian fan - if Aus donot win in NZ and as you say if india 'locks' in the #1 spot - it would have a pretty hollow ring to heaps of rational indian fans including this one...that said - NZ vs AUS deserves to be a 3 test series - doubt if is the 'big 3' effect that led to a 2 test shootout...i think it is more the compressed itenary with the T20 WC and the IPL looming up...all in all - hoping to see Adam milne play tests-with his bond-esqe pace-he would lend a new dimension-good luck to both- as a neutral this should be one awesome series...cricinfo plz publish

Shaggy076
on January 28, 2016, 2:15 GMT

TommyTuckerSaffa: I agree with most of it but its not a 3 match series because NZ in their wisdom thought they would make more money out of an extra one-day game rather than a test match. Nothing to do with a big 3 thing.

dunger.bob
on January 27, 2016, 22:03 GMT

I'm pretty desperate for Oz to grab that #1 spot just to give the Indians something to think about. If we fail in NZ they will pretty much have it locked in for the next couple of years the way the schedule is. They don't have any away test series at all for 2 years as far as I can see. .. I've got nothing against the Indians as such. They're a fine cricket team, but this seems as though it's been a bit too easy for them. I feel it's our duty, as Australians, to throw as big a spanner as possible into their works. Our duty I tell you.

I wonder when we can really see us fielding a proper 1st-choice bowling line-up.
for ODIs. Boland still in the team ? Could hardly believe !! Looks like the
selectors are blessed with celestial powers !! They could see what we all couldn't
, with him !! Brace ourselves to chase 400 at the Eden Park !!

Mervo
on January 27, 2016, 11:35 GMT

Wrong 2-0 down for NZ at this stage

Mervo
on January 27, 2016, 11:33 GMT

So NZ start 1-0 down in this series, now at home. Guess we can take for granted spicy pitches and no practice in NZ conditions for the Aussies?

Samdanh
on January 27, 2016, 10:15 GMT

I would love to see Aus play NZ in NZ over at least 3 Tests just months before before every Ashes in England or vice versa is fine too.

cricfan81592644
on January 27, 2016, 9:40 GMT

@tommytuckersaffa - you are not wrong about Australian pitches. It feels like in the last two years we have had one decent test pitch which Adelaide against NZ. And they only left grass on that because they were scared the pink ball wouldn't last. I would much rather watch 3 to 4 days of really good contest between bat and ball than 5 days where the ball does nothing at all. Our administrators seemed to be obsessed with runs!

ratdee
on January 31, 2016, 15:25 GMT

I feel Odi series will be closely fought. Though I Expect Kiwis to beat aussies by atleast 2-1.Australia test side will be completely exposed in NZ Conditions.Likes of Starc and hazlewood have to prove their worth as players outside australia especially in NZ,SA,England and India.For long time australia has been playing only in their home turf barring tour to mediocre WI.This will be the real test for steve smith as captain.

CricMystique
on January 28, 2016, 6:35 GMT

@DUNGER.BOB - as an indian fan - if Aus donot win in NZ and as you say if india 'locks' in the #1 spot - it would have a pretty hollow ring to heaps of rational indian fans including this one...that said - NZ vs AUS deserves to be a 3 test series - doubt if is the 'big 3' effect that led to a 2 test shootout...i think it is more the compressed itenary with the T20 WC and the IPL looming up...all in all - hoping to see Adam milne play tests-with his bond-esqe pace-he would lend a new dimension-good luck to both- as a neutral this should be one awesome series...cricinfo plz publish

Shaggy076
on January 28, 2016, 2:15 GMT

TommyTuckerSaffa: I agree with most of it but its not a 3 match series because NZ in their wisdom thought they would make more money out of an extra one-day game rather than a test match. Nothing to do with a big 3 thing.

dunger.bob
on January 27, 2016, 22:03 GMT

I'm pretty desperate for Oz to grab that #1 spot just to give the Indians something to think about. If we fail in NZ they will pretty much have it locked in for the next couple of years the way the schedule is. They don't have any away test series at all for 2 years as far as I can see. .. I've got nothing against the Indians as such. They're a fine cricket team, but this seems as though it's been a bit too easy for them. I feel it's our duty, as Australians, to throw as big a spanner as possible into their works. Our duty I tell you.

I wonder when we can really see us fielding a proper 1st-choice bowling line-up.
for ODIs. Boland still in the team ? Could hardly believe !! Looks like the
selectors are blessed with celestial powers !! They could see what we all couldn't
, with him !! Brace ourselves to chase 400 at the Eden Park !!

Mervo
on January 27, 2016, 11:35 GMT

Wrong 2-0 down for NZ at this stage

Mervo
on January 27, 2016, 11:33 GMT

So NZ start 1-0 down in this series, now at home. Guess we can take for granted spicy pitches and no practice in NZ conditions for the Aussies?

Samdanh
on January 27, 2016, 10:15 GMT

I would love to see Aus play NZ in NZ over at least 3 Tests just months before before every Ashes in England or vice versa is fine too.

cricfan81592644
on January 27, 2016, 9:40 GMT

@tommytuckersaffa - you are not wrong about Australian pitches. It feels like in the last two years we have had one decent test pitch which Adelaide against NZ. And they only left grass on that because they were scared the pink ball wouldn't last. I would much rather watch 3 to 4 days of really good contest between bat and ball than 5 days where the ball does nothing at all. Our administrators seemed to be obsessed with runs!

TommytuckerSaffa
on January 27, 2016, 8:34 GMT

Kiwis make the pitches a tinge of green and the 2 match series is yours. Far too much of Australia's cricket recently has been played on CEO pitches (Roads). As Smith said in interview, he has concerns over the lack of variety in Aussie pitches these days. The 5 match India ODI series was a Road fest and so was the WI & NZ tours. I also find it farcical that its not a 3 match Test series just because NZ is not Big 3.

nuraiz
on January 27, 2016, 8:28 GMT

Totally agree. SC teams playing outside have resulted in anticlimax matches these days. Except for india every team is being brutally slaughtered. Even india don't have a good pace attack which would favour them. Only non-subcontinent teams would make exciting contest outside SC. (Except for WI.)

Cricinfouser
on January 27, 2016, 7:23 GMT

Lets see whether Aus will be able to win a single match in NZ.

Cricinfouser
on January 27, 2016, 6:45 GMT

It was supposed to be a three-test series, but for some stupid reason NZ Cricket decided to scrap one of them for two more ODIs. Presumably because the ODIs spin more money. So in this case it's not actually Australia's fault, although it is their fault that they haven't been here in five years (they've played England and India about a thousand times each since their last tour here) and that they scheduled it just before the World T20 so it was never going to be a full tour anyway.

espncricinfomobile
on January 27, 2016, 3:25 GMT

Why is there only a two test series? Just because New Zealand isn't not in the big three Australia,India and England are all playing 2-3 test series against them and 4-5 test series amongst themselves. Every test series should have at least 3 or 4. Also just 3 ODIS?? Poor.

cricketsubh
on January 27, 2016, 2:56 GMT

No-1-again @ totally agree with you Australian pitches are totally flat any average batsman can score runs in Australian pitches if Australia produced gives flat pitches to opposition these kinds of tactics can back fairs last summer Australia against India Australia make slow flat pitches yes they win 2-0 but every Indian batsman score runs in that series in 80s and 90s Australian pitches are very difficult for batsman only few good players score runs in Australian pitches but now days pitches are very flat a average batsman can score a century without any difficulty ...

Bishop
on January 27, 2016, 2:52 GMT

Not much to add. I fear Aus may be a little too good for the Blackcaps despite some changes to their attack. Chad Sayers is very impressive in the right conditions, and if M Marsh is your 4th seamer, you know you are doing well.

Key matchup for me will be Boult v Khawaja. Boult has struggled for form, but looks to have turned the corner, and if he is firing, will be NZs key man. Khawaja on the other hand is in the form of his life. I watched him in the Big Bash and he was just unbelievable. No agricultural slogging, just proper cricket shots, every one out the middle of the bat, and with sublime timing. Brilliant to watch.

Best of luck to both sides.

No_1_again
on January 27, 2016, 1:43 GMT

Regardless of the outcome (NZ or AUS win), can't wait till this start. Had enough of seeing batsman filing runs on concrete roads. Give us a break and start real match on green-top. CAis killing the traditional cricket in AUS.

perth67
on January 27, 2016, 1:37 GMT

Difficult to gauge what sort of form either team was in, in their respective last test series, WI and Sri Lanka were both very poor opponents to say the least. With Starc out, I reckon Guptill might come to the test party a bit more, though he is very prone to pressing that self destruct button a tad early in most of his test innings. Should be another classic battle between young guns in Williamson and Smith. Interesting to read that Boult was equal top wicket taker in the last series, his first two tests were below average and he made up ground big time bowling under lights at the Adelaide Oval. How fit will Southee be? Though Matt Henry has seem to come on these past few weeks confidence wise, perhaps Southee's absence(if to happen) won't be noticed as much. All to play for sadly only two tests, which strikes me as being strange, considering both the WI and Sri Lanka were given more.

eyballfallenout
on January 27, 2016, 1:20 GMT

i have a fewling Aus are underprepared for the test series. flat wickets for the summer. a silly odi t20 searies that shouldnt have been played against india just ast they should be in NZ playing warm ups. hope its a great series but the kiwis have a real chance here.

SameOld
on January 27, 2016, 0:57 GMT

As a kiwi supportera part of me hopes boult and southee show what they can do in sporting conditions and really carve the Aussies up. But another part of me hopes the ball seams, swings, hoops and drifts and the Aussies prove they can still do well with the bat. Let face it, that's what we cricket viewers in Australia really want: something, *anything*, that might encourage proper cricket pitches here at home.

There should have been 5 Tests in Australia and there should be 3 in NZ.
It's very good series for Australia. Like going to England without the long flight . Seaming wickets & hostile crowds.

Uncapped
on January 26, 2016, 23:30 GMT

This should be a really good series. I'm kinda leaning toward thinking NZ are slight favourites in my mind. More based on the mental edge I think they might have than anything else. They will be primed for this whereas I feel like our guys might not after a home summer and with half an eye to the world t20 for some it might seem like the end of a long summer. Anyway will be watching with a lot more interest than I have for the BBL. T20 is something you watch bits of most games, watch some players with interest and awe at some shots or fielding moments, but never seem to watch a whole game and never really care which team wins.

CricMystique
on January 26, 2016, 23:27 GMT

The buildup is to an awesome series-box office for early 2016 - NZ have a gr8 team and the right tools, Aus are terrific too.....with the exception of pattinson-no other express pacer in the test team guess this is deliberate ploy by aus selectors-horses for courses - the others will be well suited to nz conditions....my 5c prediction - ODI 2-1 - NZ - tests - 1-1 draw - as nz conditions should even the balance....hope the NZ selectors pick Milne for the tests as his raw pace would lend a different dimension to the attack and if you throw in Southee, boult, the bearded spinner-forgot his name, mitch mcl , M henry thats a very effective lineup you'd back to take 10 and 20 in odis and tests... NZ always raise their game against the baggy greens and vice versa, compelling viewing this and this indian fan hopes for a fantastic series-exciting and each session would be closely fought, good luck both teams from an indian fan :)

ricadman
on January 26, 2016, 22:45 GMT

I don't care who wins as long as mark Taylor doesn't come over and commentate cheers

Downtheorder
on January 26, 2016, 21:25 GMT

One of the weakest areas of Australian cricket at present is the selection panel. Who knows what garbage they'll dish up next?

RICKYVONCANTERBURY
on January 26, 2016, 21:01 GMT

As an Aussie, I hope roads are served up as pitches else our skipper Smithyboy is going to struggle to get into double digits and our team won't make more than 150. Going for no seam, swing or spin so we can leave the Kiwi shores 0-0, which will be a win for us given how utterly incompetent we have been playing away from home in the last ten years or so.

millsy24
on January 26, 2016, 20:52 GMT

I expect NZ to beat us in both the ODI's and tests. I also expected them to win the test series out here as well given the retirements we had. I think we will miss Starc big time on the Kiwi grounds but I guess it will depend on who they pick as the bowling attack. If he gets to play, Sayers will no doubt be nervous but the Kiwi conditions should suit his bowling down to the ground, same with Hazlewood. Will be interesting.

jb633
on January 26, 2016, 20:21 GMT

Trent Boult, the whole series hinges on your form and your ability to get the new ball talking. Against top class swing/seam the Aussie batsmen are very vulnerable. The issue is that, you really do have to bowl really good areas or they will dominate. If NZ can dry up the runs and bowl good areas the Aussies have an implosion in them. We saw that technically they were found wanting on traditional style English pitches, but they piled them on when the wickets were dead (Lords/Oval). I still fancy Aus to win this series as I have a feeling they will still score big against this NZ attack. The issue with NZ is that behind Boult and Southee the back up bowling is very average. To beat Aus you have to be relentless and the 3rd/4th seamers can't be bowling freebies. I really hope Boult does over Warner, Warner famously sledged Root in the ashes that he was not facing Trent Boult's powder puffs any more. Come on Boulty!

Billy_Bob
on January 26, 2016, 20:18 GMT

Pity its only two tests. Especially after all the complaints about the two test series in England.

CricketGoldenKid
on January 26, 2016, 19:53 GMT

The aussies sledge everyone, its their "thing" its embedded in cricket at a young age, its no different in new zealand, the difference is NZ have made a stand at international level to not be known for sledging. The crowds are only hostile because the trans tasman matches always are, no matter the sport, thats what makes them a great spectacle. They know australia are always good even when theyre not number 1. NZ fans are very loyal, when they see someone sledging their guys they get very hostile, and rightly so. That is sport, and that adds an edge.

AussieNSW
on January 26, 2016, 19:53 GMT

Be careful you Kiwi fans don't heap too much pressure on yourselves or your team now. Lessons of heavy expectation should have been learned from the world cup. It's great that you're looking forward to this tour It should be a great series and a real chance of a "get square" always adds some spice. Here's hoping the weather gods are kind with only the two tests to play with. I note a lot of comments center on Warner & Smith as the key to our batting but you can add Khawaja to the big danger list. The guy is in ridiculously good form and has the game to handle your conditions well. You should enjoy watching him bat as much as we enjoyed Williamson. We're also hoping for some better quality banter as the sub continent lads are starting to get a bit too wound up. Being humiliated 4-1 in the ODIs hasn't done some demeanors much good.

johnthekiwi
on January 26, 2016, 18:39 GMT

@Flickspin:-Part of the reason NZ and AUS don't play each other more often is because it creates a hole in the rest of the worlds schedule when two sites to tour are removed from the equation simultaneously. I think the series comes down to only a few factors. 1/The absence of Starc is hugely advantageous for NZ. 2/The bowling of Mitchell Marsh. He style can be a game changer for Oz, 3/The bowling of Trent Boult. If he is the Boult we saw against SL on their pre-WC tour or glimpses of in England then we have a shot. If he is the Boult we saw in Oz and against SL on their recent tour then we are in trouble. Giving up a test match for a few more ODIs was senseless and shortsighted by NZC. If either team were serious about the WCT20 why wouldn't they swap these for T20s?

iceaxe88
on January 26, 2016, 16:41 GMT

Hostile NZ crowds, yes definitely - there is far more rivalry off the field than on it in NZ. Having seen some previous matches, I can fully understand why Aussies sledge us.
Here's looking to a great series and a NZ win.

DJRNZ
on January 26, 2016, 16:01 GMT

Even if / when Aussie are not the number 1 team in the world the are still always the team to beat for me. Forget any other team, beating Australia is the one we want home or away.

Cpt.Meanster
on January 26, 2016, 14:44 GMT

As a neutral, I am looking forward to this Trans-Tasman series. There is a totally different vibe this time around and the Kiwis are confident enough to take on their big brothers from across the ditch. Won't be surprised one bit if NZ come out on top out after the spoils.

wpbus13
on January 26, 2016, 14:39 GMT

This is New Zealand's best opportunity to beat the Aussies. They have got to take advantage of their home conditions, hopefully the pressure doesn't get to them. Boult's analysis is spot on...this series gives them the best opportunity to gauge where they are as a team.

GrindAR
on January 26, 2016, 14:38 GMT

Kiwis, wear some tough skin before even think about facing your neighbors. In the recent past, the only difference between both sides were, getting demotivated and loosing penchant in patches of the game, proved dearly. That tells, you need that mente to stay on course steady and innovative, not give way for bad moments conquering your minds and skin. If you fix this in the upcoming series, I will believe you've read this message :-)

Armashhashmi
on January 26, 2016, 14:06 GMT

nz odi squad should be:

Biggus
on January 26, 2016, 14:06 GMT

This promises to be the best cricket of this season for we Aussies, win or lose, after the turgid wickets our groundsmen have apparently been instructed to prepare. Looking forward to seeing the bowlers have half a chance finally. The batting fest this year has been tiresome IMHO.

MarkTaffin
on January 26, 2016, 13:59 GMT

To those T20 obsessives: this is what a top class player values - a Test series win against there closest rivals. Not a sack load of cash and a performance in a T20 slogging contest no one will care about as soon as it's over

IndianInnerEdge
on January 26, 2016, 12:36 GMT

Should be one hell of a series...am guessing the Aus selectors have read the NZ conditions well and hae not sent their quickest bowlers but more their swing and second string and this will stand them in good stead....all in all i predict a difference of 1 in all contests, T20s, odi and tests - my 5 c worth 3-2 australia winning-but this series is gonna be the showpiece of 2016.....hoping for one in which supreme skills are on display- go both teams

You_Beauty
on January 26, 2016, 12:16 GMT

@AUSSIENSW, well said mate. I'm also hoping to see the best of Baz in a highly competitive tour. Definitely the pinnacle of the summer for Aussies too!

thebatsmansHoldingthebowlersWilley
on January 26, 2016, 11:52 GMT

NZ have to go for the jugular. NZ need to get the Aussies under the pump early and keep the pressure on - Boult and Southee need to hit their straps immediately and keep it tight. Warner and Smith are so dangerous, but Warner will get himself out if you tie him down. Smith will score big if you don't get the ball to nibble around, bowl a 5th stump line and don't let him hoick it across to the leg-side. Australia's pace bowling is a little under-strength, it's hard to predict how well Hazlewood, Siddle and Pattinson will gel as a unit. Lyon will do a good job as always, he's a canny bowler. Mitchell Marsh also needs to play because Siddle and Pattinson are not really totally dependable fitness-wise. He'll be a real threat if the ball moves around

kohli_Thehero
on January 26, 2016, 10:57 GMT

New Zealand don't play well when expectations are high.it will be again skill over the emotion..

TheCricketEmpireStrikesBack
on January 26, 2016, 9:00 GMT

Should be an excellent series with NZ having a good team and playing in home conditions. If NZ play well there will, of course, be parades, ritual handing out of national honours and talk of the greatest series ever. If Aus win there will be a collective yawn and suggestions that they go and beat one of the heavyweights in a far off land (such is the normal price of success and expectation). I am just looking forward to some good, competitive cricket between these two sides.

Vaishak13
on January 26, 2016, 8:19 GMT

Yes,Australia has been d pinnacle for d last decade and half...The Kiwi has been nurtured well in d last couple of years,

gazzac
on January 26, 2016, 7:43 GMT

Looking forward to some insightful comments and a bit of banter between the Aussie and Kiwi fans - as a Kiwi im just happy that we are in a position to compete on relatively even terms at all - been a long time since we could earnestly say that

sherlockoz
on January 26, 2016, 7:08 GMT

Flick spin, I'm inclined to agree. Not sure,in particular why our A sides don't play more often....is it a money thing?? I reckon an A match between NZ & Aus could surely rate TV time. There is always interest when NZ v Aus, you could play marbles and there would be some banter between supporters. I think it would be silly to underestimate the Australians, this is not a second string bowling attack, they have been sensible in selecting an attack to suit NZ conditions. For me it will be interesting to see how Warner, Smith, Kawhaja handle NZ conditions....coming off the roads in Oz.

flickspin
on January 26, 2016, 6:51 GMT

The benefits to New Zealand would get from the 2nd 11 would get from touring Australia would be significant getting thier players use to pace, bounce and spin that Australia pitches produce.

Every year the tour switches 1 year the New Zealand 2nd 11 tour Australia the next year Australia 2nd 11 tour New Zealand.

The tour counts as first class cricket played over 4 days, the tour would be played over 5 weeks.

Also with the tour of New Zealand occurring so late in the summer I can't see why Australia can't tour New Zealand in New Zealand every 2 years, and then tour the northern hemisphere in later months,

Australia has fierce rivalry against England the Kiwis have that fierce rivalry vs Australia. The games would be sell outs, have a look at rugby union and rugby league.

Australia should use New Zealand's green top pitches to benefit our bowlers and batsmen, New Zealand is just 3 hours away.

I think both countries would benefit each by touring each other more often

flickspin
on January 26, 2016, 6:31 GMT

Australia should tour New Zealand more and especially in a English ashes year to get accustomed to green top swinging pitches that also move off the pitch which appear in New Zealand and England.

Australia second 11 should tour New Zealand every second year and the New Zealand second 11 should tour Australia every other year.

New Zealand is 3 hour flight from Australia. The experience the Australian 2nd 11 would get from playing on green tops would be significant helping Australia when they tour tour green top pitches in England.

I will explain more about the benefits in my next post

CricketGoldenKid
on January 26, 2016, 6:26 GMT

This will be a hell of a series, test and ODI's, Both sides suffering from injuries to key players but both have seemed to of found good enough replacements. NZ Have the better bowling unit over all especially when southee is back and the fact there will be swing at some point on the tour. But Australias whole batting unit are all firing so its a pretty even contest when you add home advantage to the kiwis. This should have been the series instead of the WI-AUS series, these two teams deserve a boxing day test soon surely!

HatsforBats
on January 26, 2016, 6:12 GMT

This home-away series was a mouth-watering prospect before the flat pitches and pink ball in Australia, and before the NZ leg was reduced to 2 matches. I'm still very much looking forward to it, but it's lost some sparkle. The bowling & batting are about even (slightly in Aus favour from my biased position), so it will come down to how they each fare on the day, that makes compulsive viewing.

Nathan Lee
on January 26, 2016, 5:51 GMT

No other matches even register against the tour by aussie - I can't wait

AussieNSW
on January 26, 2016, 5:49 GMT

While I'm really a test match fan I'm somehow looking forward to the ODIs just as much. Our batting is really on fire but I'd like to see how it goes on a wicket that might at least offer something up for the bowlers and with due respect to india, even though their fans have shown us little of that, against an attack that can challenge. It's great that the Kiwi fans are backing their team and also good that the more knowledgeable ones are recognising that Australia is indeed a yardstick particularly in ODI format. The tests should be great and I do think the Black Caps will have their moments but just feel we are going pretty well at the moment and can't wait to see Warner, Khawaja and Smith in particular show their wares to the Kiwi fans. Our bowling, whilst not our #1 choice of attack has been intelligently selected and should perform very well in NZ conditions. Lets hope for a competitive series played in great spirit. Good luck to Baz in his send off. He's been great for NZ cricket

Mervo
on January 26, 2016, 5:48 GMT

It will be interesting indeed. Also they have Australia at a particularly weak point in bowling for a change with so many key bowlers injured. Bit like SA at the moment. Starc would make such a difference.

Graemethewarrior
on January 26, 2016, 5:34 GMT

Mouthwatering can't wait...n i want the the players to be fit....

jace666
on January 26, 2016, 5:30 GMT

australia is the best team in the world and i would rank New Zealand second. ..India..Eng..SA..my opinon so its gonna be a cl9se fought series

nzcricket174
on January 26, 2016, 5:18 GMT

Everything over the last three years has been building towards this. If we fail again it will all be for nothing. (not really just a saying!)

R.A.B
on January 26, 2016, 5:08 GMT

Expecting newzealand to win the test series 1- 0 and odi series 2-1 and give fitting farewell to their skipper.

kiwicricketnut
on January 26, 2016, 4:36 GMT

Boults right, no disrespect to Pakistan but this summer is all about aussie, they are crickets yard stick in which all other teams measure themselves against, if you can beat Australia you know you're a good side and if you can't you know you have work to do, once again I feel like we can beat them but Aussie are probably still favourites to take the series, we will have to be at our absolute best to do it and we might have to brave with some selections but the talent is there and home advantage should help, expecting it to be close and hoping for a 1-0 scoreline to the kiwis

carbattery
on January 26, 2016, 4:27 GMT

theyve gotta be sick of having sri lanka tour them every single summer for the last 5 years

No featured comments at the moment.

carbattery
on January 26, 2016, 4:27 GMT

theyve gotta be sick of having sri lanka tour them every single summer for the last 5 years

kiwicricketnut
on January 26, 2016, 4:36 GMT

Boults right, no disrespect to Pakistan but this summer is all about aussie, they are crickets yard stick in which all other teams measure themselves against, if you can beat Australia you know you're a good side and if you can't you know you have work to do, once again I feel like we can beat them but Aussie are probably still favourites to take the series, we will have to be at our absolute best to do it and we might have to brave with some selections but the talent is there and home advantage should help, expecting it to be close and hoping for a 1-0 scoreline to the kiwis

R.A.B
on January 26, 2016, 5:08 GMT

Expecting newzealand to win the test series 1- 0 and odi series 2-1 and give fitting farewell to their skipper.

nzcricket174
on January 26, 2016, 5:18 GMT

Everything over the last three years has been building towards this. If we fail again it will all be for nothing. (not really just a saying!)

jace666
on January 26, 2016, 5:30 GMT

australia is the best team in the world and i would rank New Zealand second. ..India..Eng..SA..my opinon so its gonna be a cl9se fought series

Graemethewarrior
on January 26, 2016, 5:34 GMT

Mouthwatering can't wait...n i want the the players to be fit....

Mervo
on January 26, 2016, 5:48 GMT

It will be interesting indeed. Also they have Australia at a particularly weak point in bowling for a change with so many key bowlers injured. Bit like SA at the moment. Starc would make such a difference.

AussieNSW
on January 26, 2016, 5:49 GMT

While I'm really a test match fan I'm somehow looking forward to the ODIs just as much. Our batting is really on fire but I'd like to see how it goes on a wicket that might at least offer something up for the bowlers and with due respect to india, even though their fans have shown us little of that, against an attack that can challenge. It's great that the Kiwi fans are backing their team and also good that the more knowledgeable ones are recognising that Australia is indeed a yardstick particularly in ODI format. The tests should be great and I do think the Black Caps will have their moments but just feel we are going pretty well at the moment and can't wait to see Warner, Khawaja and Smith in particular show their wares to the Kiwi fans. Our bowling, whilst not our #1 choice of attack has been intelligently selected and should perform very well in NZ conditions. Lets hope for a competitive series played in great spirit. Good luck to Baz in his send off. He's been great for NZ cricket

Nathan Lee
on January 26, 2016, 5:51 GMT

No other matches even register against the tour by aussie - I can't wait

HatsforBats
on January 26, 2016, 6:12 GMT

This home-away series was a mouth-watering prospect before the flat pitches and pink ball in Australia, and before the NZ leg was reduced to 2 matches. I'm still very much looking forward to it, but it's lost some sparkle. The bowling & batting are about even (slightly in Aus favour from my biased position), so it will come down to how they each fare on the day, that makes compulsive viewing.